Thousands of artisans at Suame Magazine Zone 13 in the Ashanti Region are on the brink of eviction due to claims by a private developer, ‘The Gosie Group’, asserting ownership of parts of the industrial hub.
The artisans, with decades-long operations in the area, are urgently appealing to Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia for intervention to halt their potential displacement.
Their occupation of the land is safeguarded by Executive Instrument (E.I. 36), necessitating a parliamentary amendment for any eviction, yet a recent court ruling in favor of the Gosie Group has escalated tensions in the enclave.
Having established their businesses since 1989, the artisans fear the jeopardy of their entire livelihoods if forced to vacate.
“I plead with Nana Addo and Bawumia to honour their promises. They pledged to support us, but they have forgotten about the promises they made to us. For us, the illiterate, they don’t regard us anymore. They should provide us with employment opportunities and put a stop to the digitalisation conversation because it does not include us. If Bawumia wants to win the 2024 elections, he must help us, or we vote against him,” said one artisan.
Chairman of Suame Magazine Zone 13, Eric Arhin emphasized the need for authorities, including the Asantehene and VP Bawumia, to prevent what could spiral into a humanitarian and economic crisis.
“We are urging the authorities to intervene so we can continue our work.”
New Patriotic Party (NPP) member, Kwabena Nsenkyire and spare parts dealer, has visited to assuage tensions, pledging governmental efforts toward resolution but stressing the necessity of VP Bawumia’s direct engagement with the affected artisans.